Toy top



Jan. 24, 1928.

1,657,071 0. R DAlLEY TOY TOP Filed Dec. 27. 1926 INV EN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Jan; 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OVTEN R. DAILEY, OF DAVENPORT, IOVJA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-FOURTH TO CLARENCE C. HAZARD, OF SCOTT COUNTY, IOWA.

TOY TOP.

Application filed December 27, 1926. Serial No. 157,216.

' through the body of the top, in dotted lines;

2 is a top or plan view; Fig 3 i Side elevation showingthe top with the pivot in horizontal position and Figure 4C is a side elevation of thetop in inverted position; Fig 5 is a vertical cross-section view of an alternative form of my top in which weights of heavier material are inset into the body of the top to take the place of the bulges shown in Figures 1 to at; Fig. 6 is a vertical crosssection on the center line of another form of the top in whichthe body is formed of a hollow casing such as sheet metal, with weights secured to the inside thereof; Fig. 7 is a plan view of an alternative form of my top showing a plurality of upper and lower weighted portions.

My top preferably comprises a spherical body, 2, formed of solid material and with a pivot stick or handle preferably extending through the center of the body and projecting at the upper end to form a handle, 1, and projecting at the lower end slightly to form a point, 5, upon which the top can be spurn The body is formed with a slight protuberance, l, upon one side between the middle line of the body -andthehandle and a corresponding protube ance, :3, diametrically opposite thereto, which would bring 1t between the middle line of the body and the point, 5.

The object of these protuberances is to give added weight at the points at which they are located and when the top is spun rapidly while resting upon the point, 5, the centrifugal motion of these protuberances will tend to tip the upper portion of the body to the left and to propel the lower portion of the top upwardly and to the right. As this action continues, the top will successively get into the horizontal position shown in Figure 3 and then into the inverted posilion shown inFigure 4e 1 It is necessary to spin the top quite rapidly in order to accomplish this change of position. When the top is spun slowly upon the tip, 5, the handle will remain in the vertical position.

It. is, of course, immaterial whether the increased weight is added/to the globular body at the points shown by forming enlargements or protuberances such as 3 and 4:, thereon, or whether it is done by inserting weights such as S and 4 into suitable insets or pockets cut out of the globular body. lVhen desired to form the top from a hollow sphere, the sphere may be formed of light sheetinetal and the weights, 3 and 4P, united thereto by soldering small lumps of solder or other suitable metal thereto, or the halves of the globe may be die-cast and theweight ed portions die-cast integral with the shells thereof.

Obviously, the same result may be produced by using a plurality of weighted portions, 6 and 7, as shown in Figure 7, the portions, 7, being shown in dotted lines and being diametrically opposite from the weighted portions, 6.

Obviously various other forms of attaching the weights to the top may be utilized without departing from the principle of my invention, the top may be formed with a.

smooth surface or the surface may be figured and painted or decorated in various ways,

and the pivot stick or handle and point may be formed integral with the body.

In the operation of my top, when it is desired to spin it in the upright position shown in Figure 1, the handle, 1, is grasped between the thumb and second finger and subjected to a whirling motion sufficient to produce the revolution of a top at a moderate speed; top to automatically invertitself and assume the position shown in Figure l, the handle of the top is grasped in the same manner and it is spun rapidly. This will cause the top to tilt over untilthehandle, 1, strikes the table or other support upon which it is spinning and it will then leap into the inverted position shown in Figure 4 and spin in that position until slowed down by friction.

When the top is spun rapidly on the point, 5, the centrifugal and gyroscopic forces will cause it to be inverted into the position hen it is desired to cause the shown in Figure eland to so remain. lVhen it is spinning in the position shown in Figure a. the length of the handle raises the hody above the floor and causes the weighted portion, a, at, l to revolve in a position approximately midway between theouter end of the handle, 1, and the point or tip,;5, ot the top and the revolution in this position seems to stabilize the top and cause it to continue to spin upon the handle, 1.

"I claim: p

1. A top comprising a substantially globular body having diametrically opposite projecting portions formed integral therewith upon an axial line atan angle of approximately 45 to the vertical axis of the top, apivot point-united to the top at the lower end oi the vertical axis thereof, and a handle united to. the upper side of the top in line with the vertical axis thereof.

2. A. top comprising a substantially globular body having diametrically opposite weighted portionslof said globe secured at an angle of approximately 45 to the vertical axis or the top, a pivot pointunited to the .topatthe lower end of the vertical axis thereoflnand aihandle unitedto the upper side of the top in line with the vertical axis thereof.

HQ 4 3. A top comprising a substantially globular body having a handle and pivot'point secured theretoupon its vertical axis and having diametrically opposite weights secured to i said body intermediate its vertical and horizontal axes 4:. In a top,'the combination with a globular body, of a handle and pivot point suitablyiunited thereto and means secured between the handle and the horizontal meert centrifugal force in different directions upon the u1'ipc"and1lower portions of the top when spun rapidly.

.6. A top comprising a substantially globular body having diametrically opposite projecting portions formed integral therewithupon an axial line at an angle of approximately 45 to the.vertical axis of the top, and a handle united to the upper side of the top in line with the vertical axis thereof.

7. A top comprising a substantially globular body having a handle secured thereto upon its verticalaxis and having diametrievenly, and means for spinning same.

10. An automatically reversing top comprising a globular body having the weight: of its upper and lower halves respectively unevenly distributed with reference vertical axis. a

lhAii automatically reversing top comprisinga globular body having the weight oi: its upper and lower halvesrespectively unevenly distributed with reference to its vertical axis and a handle for spinning same secured to. the top in line with its vertical axis. r

12. An automatically.reversing top comprising a hollow substantially globular body having the weight of its upper and lower halves respectively unevenly distributed with reference to its vertical axis.

.13. An automatically reversing top comwith reference to its vertical axis and a handle and pivot point for spinning some secured thereto in line with its vertical axis.

I OWEN n. DAILEY.

ll l

til)

[Ill 

